Switched

Chapter Eleven

Fight or Flight

A bright flash of green light momentarily blinded Harry, and he felt a searing heat all around him. When his vision returned, all he saw was Draco. He was terribly pale and looked ready to faint. Harry at once knew what had happened - Draco had cursed his own father, vaporizing him with the sheer force of his spell. Harry held his breath, waiting for Voldemort's reaction.

"And what have we here? A change of plans?" Voldemort crossed the cellar to Draco's side.

"He was in the way, my Lord. I no longer wish to stand in his shadow. Let me take his place, I promise not to fail you as my father has done time and time again," Draco said.

Voldemort peered at him, as if deciding whether to believe Draco's words. "I can feel your hatred for your father, Draco, but I nonetheless doubt your loyalty. You did not kill the person I asked you to kill."

Draco swallowed thickly, but said nothing. "Do we not wish to gather information from Potter first?"

"Do you question me, boy? I would watch my tongue, if I were you." Voldemort waved his fingers and suddenly Harry's mouth filled with pain. Draco grimaced, momentarily suffering as well.

"You hate your father for killing your mother, but do not forget she was a turncoat who betrayed your very name. Why do you still mourn her?" Voldemort bored his eyes into Draco's, and a thin sweat broke out on Harry's forehead. Would Draco be able to keep his mind sealed?

"I will admit that the loss of Lucius does not trouble me. But I wonder - is there another reason you spared the boy? Could you be so weak to have allowed him to affect you? Your mind may be strong, but you are no match for the Dark Lord. Confess your sins, Draco, and I may spare you," Voldemort said.

"There is nothing to confess, my Lord," Draco insisted.

"There's only one way to be certain." Voldemort raised his wand, and Draco seemed to simultaneously lift off his feet. A jet of bright light shot out and Draco flew backwards into the far wall. Voldemort waved his wand once more and Draco slid up violently. Voldemort grinned as he contorted Draco's limbs, causing bones to crack. Draco bit down on his lip until he drew blood, and finally let a scream escape. Snape was no longer watching Narcissa and seemed to be shouting at Voldemort, but Harry could not make out the words. His arms and legs felt like they were being ripped from their sockets; his mouth was full of blood. He began to scream as well, and for a moment Harry was certain someone would come running, they were making so much noise.

But then Voldemort stopped, whirling around to look at Harry. "And what have we here? A magical connection between these two enemies? Harry loves you, Draco, it's clearly written on his face. Could it be you spared him for the same reasons?"

Draco only moaned, so Voldemort pulled him close with a magical beckon. He grasped Draco's face in his long, spidery fingers, reading his eyes. "The feelings are returned! I am sure of it! Young Draco Malfoy and little Harry Potter are in love!"

The same cold laughter rang throughout the room, making Harry choke on anger.

"It is only magic clouding their minds, those two could never fall in love," Snape said, but he barely sounded convinced himself.

"It's plain as day, Harry has changed Draco's mind. That's why he killed Lucius after all. What a pity, together you both would make fine warriors, so full of love and hate that you're each about the combust. But now you both will die, watching each other suffer. But first, how about a demonstration of my power? A message to Dumbledore that I am not to be easily fooled."

Voldemort pointed his wand at Snape. "And how shall I kill you, my most treacherous foe? Something slow, so the boys will really see the power of Lord Voldemort. How about boiling your blood until your very insides explode?"

Snape began to gasp and cry out.

"Or how about peeling off your skin, one small piece at a time?"

Voldemort waved his wand and dozens of thin cuts appeared on Snape's face and arms.

"Uh, yes, I know. I will tear you limb from limb, just as the muggles used to punish their prisoners. What a most gruesome thing to watch." Voldemort grinned broadly, and flicked his wand again.

Suddenly Snape's limbs flew outwards, as if each one was being pulled in opposite directions. Harry struggled to his feet, trying to think of someway to save Snape. A sickening pop filled the room as Snape's shoulders began to dislocate, and he threw back his head, mouth open, uttering a silent cry.

Harry could only think of one thing. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies!"

Hearing Harry's shouts, Voldemort lowered his wand and Snape fell back to the ground. He turned to face Harry, listening intently.

"And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies." Harry wriggled his hands, getting a firm grip on his wand still hidden behind his back.

"What is this, boy?" Voldemort stepped closer to Harry.

"The prophecy you were so anxious to hear. That was it." Harry placed his wand tip against his ropes, praying Voldemort was too distracted to notice Draco getting up off the ground.

"You wouldn't be foolish enough to tell me the real prophecy," Voldemort said.

"Why not? It clearly says that I have power you know not. I am able to defeat you, and there's no way you can stop me." Harry met Voldemort's red eyes.

"You do not even know what this power is!" Voldemort's wand was now pointed right at Harry's chest.

"Draco, now!" Harry shouted. Disarm him!

Draco heard this thought loud and clear. "Expelliarmus!"

As Voldemort's wand flew across the room into Draco's hands, Harry took his chance. Muttering a weakening charm, Harry burst through his ropes.

Voldemort had already sent Draco flying into Snape with a wave of his hand. "Accio wand!"

"Help Snape!" Harry shouted, before turning to face his enemy. Voldemort paid this no heed. His eyes were locked on Harry, his wand ready to strike.

"Why bother with this foolish duelling Harry? You know you cannot win against a great wizard such as me. You are nothing but a child," Voldemort hissed.

"A great wizard?! Ha! You are nothing but a half-blood, no purer than me," Harry snapped.

"My blood runs pure regardless of my foul muggle father. I have studied and worked and risen above my roots. I've come back from beyond the grave! You remain, however, a foolish boy with blood as dirty as his disgusting mother's. You are nothing without your Albus Dumbledore!" Voldemort moved to strike, but Harry dove to the side, avoiding the spell.

"I don't need Dumbledore anymore. I am ready to battle you. And I will win." Harry threw a curse at Voldemort, but it was easily cast aside.

"You cannot scare me Harry. I feed off your anger, it gives me strength when it only makes you weak," Voldemort said. He moved to curse Harry switching direction mid-incantation. Harry was not fast enough and the heat from the spell grazed his ankle, making it sting.

"You will die as your parents did, alone and begging for my mercy. Your mother cried feebly at my feet, do you remember that Harry? And your father, he barely put up a fight. They lost all bravery in the end, just as you will." Voldemort sent another spell, this one dark purple, towards Harry.

Gritting his teeth in rage he rolled away from it, but it caught him in the shoulder, sending him flying back.

"You're lying," he shouted, trying to send a counter-curse. But Voldemort shielded himself easily, instead hitting Harry with another spell, this one straight to the stomach. Harry double over, nearly blacking out.

"You say you want to kill me, but you don't have the power. You will never be a great wizard! Any skills you have were stolen from me that night. Your father was nothing; he merely made a show of bullying others and causing trouble. Your mother was too soft to even be truly strong, just the same as you. You are pathetic, Potter! Nothing, just like them!"

Harry staggered to his feet, but his wand flew from his hand before he could utter a word. Voldemort sneered, looming over Harry with both wands in his hand.

"Perhaps a double spell, just in case," he said with a cackle.

Harry heard a yell, and a bright streak of light flew across Voldemort's face, leaving a deep gash below his eye. Harry reached out and his wand flew from Voldemort's grasp into Harry's fingers.

"Harry! Get up! We have to get out of here!" Draco shouted.

Harry glanced at the door, where Draco stood. He had conjured a sling for Snape's wounded arms, and was supporting the man by the door, still suffering his own broken bones.

"Move!" Draco shouted, and Harry spun away as another beam of light flew at Voldemort, knocking him down. The wizard turned - eyes now on Draco. Harry took his chance disarmed him, sending Voldemort flying.

"Come on!" Draco looked wild with fear, pleading Harry to leave. He staggered to his feet, rushing to the door.

"Now's my chance!" Harry turned to face Voldemort again. He was retrieving his wand, anger in his eyes.

"You cannot defeat him! Not yet," Snape said, gritting his teeth. "We must escape!"

"Go ahead Potter," Voldemort laughed, "give me what I deserve!"

Focusing all his anger, Harry pointed his wand upwards and shouted a curse. The ceiling at once began to crack and crumble, causing Voldemort to stumble backwards to avoid the debris. Draco grabbed Harry by the hand, tugging him from the room. They stood on either side of Snape, desperately trying to escape the falling rock as the cellar began to collapse.

"Good thinking! Now he can't follow," Draco said.

"He deserves to be alone and trapped," Harry muttered.

"A wizard such as Voldemort will risk apparating even in a place he does not know well. That room will not hold him for long so we must hurry," Snape panted.

Harry nodded. The corridor they were in was beginning to fill with dust and bits of rock as the walls around them began to crack. If Voldemort didn't catch them, they would surely be buried alive. Pulling at Snape with all his might, Harry raced onwards, praying they could escape in time.

* * * *

Draco struggled as fast as he could walk, but the narrow corridor was not meant for three men to travel side-by-side. Draco had managed to secure Snape's dislocated shoulders, but his own cracked ribs, broken wrist, and bruised ankle still ached with every step. There was no counting the many injuries Harry had suffered fighting Voldemort, and he knew the boy could not keep up this wild pace for long. Rumbling seemed to surrounded them on all sides as they raced along, and Draco knew the walls were about to cave in. They'd never make it back outside in time.

Draco scanned every door they passed, only wishing he could've somehow saved his mother. They could've used her assistance in escaping this hellhole. He swallowed thickly. It was too late for her now; there was no point in dwelling on what had happened. He kept trying to reassure himself that his father had deserved to die for murdering his mother, but he felt a growing guilt bubbling in his stomach. Had Lucius earned his fate? Draco hadn't had a choice, but he could not shake the overwhelming feeling of loss. He was an orphan now.

But one glance at Harry's determined face warmed Draco's heart. At least he had his love, and that was all that mattered now. That - and getting out alive.

Snape stumbled, delirious from pain. Harry moved to drag him along, but Draco stopped as well.

"Harry, we're not going to make it outside!" Draco shouted over the noise as the tunnel behind them began to give way. "We need to take one of these doors and head into the house."

"This whole place will come down!" Harry tugged insistently on Snape's arm.

"This manor has been in the Fudge family for centuries, but the cellar was only a recent addition. The rest of the home may remain, even if these tunnels breakdown." Snape leaned against Draco, closing his eyes.

"He cannot run anymore," Draco said.

Their eyes met, and Harry nodded. "What if the doors are enchanted and we can't escape?"

"I know you can do it," Draco said.

"Enough with the lovey-dovey exchanges, we need to get out of here," Snape muttered.

Harry turned bright red and turned to the closest door, leaving Draco to hold up Snape. He took a deep, painful breath, praying this would work.

Harry gave a furtive wave of his wand, attempting to unlock the door. When it didn't budge, he warily tried the handle, but pulled away sharply as if burned. The knob began to glow red, and Harry fell back against the wall, brow knit.

"We'll keep trying, there are lots of doors -" Draco began.

But with an angry growl, Harry launched his foot at the door, kicking with all his might. The wood splintered, and with another kick, the entire frame seemed to give. Breathing hoarsely, Harry threw himself at the door before Draco could object, knocking it open. A large piece of stone fell from a crack in the ceiling, forcing Draco and Snape through the opening after Harry. They were at the foot of some narrow, rickety stairs.

"Up," Harry murmured, dragging himself along the banister.

Leaning against Snape, Draco warily followed. Harry was beginning to show signs of tiring out; his wounds were catching up with him. The moved up the wobbling stairway at an impossibly slow pace, the walls cracking and crumbling all around them. Several times Harry narrowly avoided a missing step, and Snape nearly fell after the trick banister gave way.

Just as Draco was about to give up hope that they were on the right track, they finally arrived at a landing. A low sound just below signified that the tunnel had finally caved in, sending clouds of dust up the stairs. This time Draco left Snape leaning on the wall and body checked the door open. They'd made it to the upper house, for he fell onto cool marble floors.

Snape and Harry staggered after him, slamming the door shut. The hall was lit in long, strange shadows. Draco had lost all track of time in the cellar, but it was late evening.

Snape was gasping for breath, and sank onto the floor, back against the wall. "I don't think I can make it. You two go on,"

"You think we're going to leave you after all that?" Harry stepped away from the door, looking down the hall. "I wonder if Fudge is even at home."

Draco strained his ears but couldn't hear a sound. He moved to help Snape off the floor, but stopped mid-stride when Harry cried out.

"Harry! What is it?" Draco raced to his side as he doubled over in pain, his hands on his scar.

"Voldemort! He's trying to track us! He survived the collapse!" Harry fell to his knees, sweat dripping off his brow.

"Fight him, Harry! Get him out of your head!" Draco sank down beside him, feeling helpless.

"Kiss him," Snape hissed.

Draco couldn't believe his ears.

"You love him, don't you? Kiss him and it will get rid of Voldemort. The Dark Lord cannot understand such basic muggle feelings as love. It repulses him!" Snape tried to stand, but couldn't quite manage it.

Harry yelped, shaking his head violently. In a panic, Draco grabbed him roughly by the shoulders and pulled him close. Their lips met, and Draco mustered up all the passion he could. The kiss seemed to stop time itself. There was no more pain or emergency, only Harry and Draco and this one amazing kiss.

"I think that's good enough." Snape's voice pulled Draco from the heat of the kiss, and he opened his eyes, pulling away.

Harry was staring at Draco in awe. "It worked."

"Of course it did. The only way I ever protected Occulemency was by thinking of my love for Lily whenever around the Dark Lord. It ensured he couldn't penetrate my mind. Focus on thoughts of Draco, Harry, and Voldemort will not be able to find us by using you." Snape was standing now.

Harry pulled himself up, and offered Draco his hand. He looked at Snape. "Thank you."

Snape merely nodded, and began to limp slowly down the hall. "Now back to our escape..."

Draco and Harry followed him close, their hands remaining together. Harry gave Draco a shy look, and it took all of his control not to leap on him.

The marble hall, lined with expensive sculptures of famous witches and wizards, ended at the top of broad, spiralling stairs. The house remained silent and empty, so Snape led them down the stairs slowly. The portraits for the most part seemed utterly abandoned, although Draco was sure that once or twice he saw faces peering at them from the shadows, only to quickly disappear. The stairs were thankfully short, and led to a grand hall obviously for entertaining. The room was dusty and neglected now, and several pieces of ornate furniture lay broken on the floor.

"If this is anything like Malfoy Manor..." Draco scanned the walls for an opening in the huge tapestries that bedecked them. "Then the kitchens are through that doorway, and we should find an exit in them somewhere for the house elves."

Harry nodded and Snape didn't say a word, so Draco led them to the door he'd spotted. Sure enough, it opened on to a gigantic, bright kitchen. Broiling pots and half-baked food lay about the room, and black smoke was pouring from a far oven. But even through the haze, Draco could see the outline of an exit. He motioned Harry and Snape to follow, but a clanking noise stopped them in their tracks. Someone else was there.

"Bloody house elves! Abandoning me in my time of need!" A small man emerged from behind an open cupboard door, stuffing food into a large bag.

"Cornelius Fudge." Harry's wand was already out, and Fudge stopped in his tracks.

Draco was closest to the wizard however, and he quickly dove at him, grabbing his arm, and pulling him to the floor.

"You disgusting turncoat!" Draco towered over the trembling man.

"Young Master Malfoy, surely you haven't joined ranks with Harry Potter? Where is your father? How did they get here?" Fudge blubbered.

"I killed my father and we caused your cellar to collapse. And now, we want out of here. But not before you pay for harbouring criminals in your home, you dirty -" Draco snarled.

But Harry caught his arm. "Draco. Enough people have died here today."

"But surely this vermin deserves -" Draco started.

"You were right Draco. Killing out of hate isn't the answer. We escaped Voldemort because of love. And if you allow yourself to hate Fudge for what he's done, Voldemort will draw on this weakness and find us at once." Harry pulled Draco back, motioning with his wand for Fudge to stand.

Draco nodded. "Fine. Instead, he can lead us out of here safely. Or suffer the consequences."

"You heard him Fudge. We want out, and we don't want to fall into any of the traps protecting your land," Harry said.

Fudge gave a small squeak and nodded. With Harry's wand pointed right at him, he began to lead them out of the smoky kitchen. Draco moved to retrieve Snape, half-conscious, from where he leaned against the wall. They made it to the door in moments, dodging the cluttered mess all over the floor.

"Is there anyone else in this house?" Harry asked as they reached the exit.

"No, everyone left me," Fudge muttered.

"It's what you deserve," Draco said.

Harry pushed open the door, prodding Fudge along. They were outside now, the sun setting in a splash of orange and red.

"Follow my lead." Fudge warily stepped over the rock path leading away from the house, instead directing them across the lawn towards the massive gate. Every now and then, he'd command Harry to use a particular disarming spell, and it was a slow going process, with Snape so wounded and Draco nearly spent of all his energy. Harry too was suffering from the battle, and by the time they reached the wall he was forced to rest and catch his breath. There was a small door, nearly hidden by vines and shrubs that Fudge was hastily trying to reveal.

Draco let his eyes leave their prisoner for a moment as he scanned the brilliant sky. The sun had disappeared over the treetops, leaving purple clouds in its wake. In the far distance, however, something caught Draco's eye.

"Harry! Look!" Draco raced backwards, craning to see over the wall.

Sure enough, there were faint outlines of people flying towards the house on broomsticks.

"The Order," Harry whispered, now standing next to Draco.

"They must be searching for the house. I only ever knew the general location from my information from Narcissa," Snape said.

A thump pulled Draco from his thoughts and he looked down just in time to see Fudge struggling to get the secret door open.

"Trying to escape?" Harry asked. He waved his wand and ropes appeared around Fudge's wrists.

"Tie him to me," Snape insisted. "I may not have my wand any longer, but I won't let him get away."

Harry did just this, and then moved to open the small door himself. There was barely enough room for Snape and Fudge to get through. Harry motioned for Draco to go next, but he found himself looking back at the house behind him.

"They're both gone, Draco." Harry was next to him now with his hand on his back.

"Let's go." Draco began to turn, but Harry caught his arm.

"Is that -" Harry stopped short, eyes growing wide.

Draco whirled back around. Sure enough, smoke was rising steadily from the house, and flames had appeared in all the windows.

"Someone's set fire to it!" Harry exclaimed.

Draco at once knew who the culprit was. The smoke was thick and black, and formed an eerie skull symbol in the sky. Voldemort.

"We have to get -" Harry started, but a slamming door ended his sentence.

"Leaving so soon?" In front of the door that Snape and Fudge had used moments before, stood Voldemort. Dust and ash clung to his robes, and anger heated his small eyes.

Draco and Harry immediately removed their wands, but Voldemort did not move.

"You foolish boys still think that you are a match for me?" Voldemort asked. "Draco, you may be able to murder your father in cold blood, but I know that you will always be weak like Potter. Never able to face your fears and truly fight me."

"Let me show you now my true capabilities!" Draco pointed his wand at Voldemort's chest, his heart pounding. "I'll end it for you now as I ended my father's life moments ago."

But Harry placed his arm on Draco's, lowering the tip of his wand. "No, Draco. Voldemort is right; we cannot kill him with hate. So we will kill him with love."

Voldemort laughed, and Draco felt Harry tense, but he didn't budge.

"You think such moronic sentiment can really vanquish me?" Voldemort cried.

But Harry was ignoring him, eyes locked on Draco's. He brought his own wand upwards, and the two tips met, locking together like two strong magnets. Draco did not know what Harry had planned, but he trusted him with his life. He forgot about Voldemort and everything else, forcing himself to focus only on Harry. His love and respect for Harry, the boy who'd changed his life - who'd changed him.

"I tire of these ridiculous displays," Voldemort snarled, finally removing his own wand. "Face me or die!"

Harry linked his fingers with Draco's, pulling them closer together. Draco could feel Harry's love and devotion as if it escaped from his very pours. Voldemort seemed miles away, an annoying voice in the background.

All at once, Voldemort let out a ghastly yell, and motioned to curse them with his wand. Draco knew that this was it; the wizard was steps away and too powerful for them. But he was not afraid. He had Harry, and they loved each other, and that was what mattered.

Just as the burst of green light flew towards them both, an equally bright white light gushed from Harry and Draco's wands. But it did not move in a stream towards Voldemort, instead it encircled Harry and Draco, surrounding them in its pure, brightness. It was a shield, and although neither Harry nor Draco had uttered a word, it repelled the green curse with ease. Voldemort tried again, and this time was nearly hit by his own deflected curse. Harry only smiled, as if he knew this would happen all along.

In the distance, Draco could hear cries and the faint sounds of people approaching. "The Order is almost here."

"They're coming to rescue us," Harry said.

"Still running away, are we Harry?" Voldemort hissed.

"We're not going anywhere." Harry finally looked away, and the shield disappeared. "You cannot hurt us, why would we run?"

Draco looked at Voldemort and saw a flash of fear. He waved his wand, catching the wizard off guard and throwing him against the wall.

Harry cast another spell, and ropes nearly entangled Voldemort before he could Apparate away.

"Too afraid to try and kill me?" Voldemort asked, appearing beside them.

"Why kill you when we can leave you alive?" Harry asked.

"Make sure that you end up alone and helpless, just as you deserve." Draco knocked Voldemort's wand away and he had to scramble to get it back.

The noises of approaching witches and wizards grew louder.

"We're over here! By the wall!" Snape's voice boomed from the other side of the door.

"Dumbledore is coming to collect you now," Harry said.

"You're trapped. It's over," Draco added.

Voldemort faltered, forgetting the curse he was about to cast. He glanced back at the door. Draco was no longer afraid of him now, nor did he despise him as he had before. He pitied the man, although you could barely call him that. He deserved to be punished, yes, but not to die. That would be too easy.

"Come quietly, Tom, and no one else will have to die," Harry whispered, sounding so much like Dumbledore that Draco glanced to see if the wizard was in fact standing in the doorway.

Voices echoed in the forest, and Draco knew The Order had finally arrived. This was it.

"You think I'll surrender to you? Never! This isn't over, Potter! Your foolish shields and misguided affections will not protect you forever!" With a pop, Voldemort apparated before Draco or Harry could move.

"He got away." Draco looked at Harry, certain he would be disappointed.

Nearby them, someone was trying to break down the door.

But Harry was smiling. "Yes, he got away, I knew he would. But Draco, don't you see? He's running from me now. I've always been the one afraid, angry, and running from him. But we scared him back there, and all we did was love. He cannot understand this emotion, I see that now. And although I don't know quite how, this is how we'll defeat him. We're a step ahead of him now. He's the one afraid, not me."

Draco beamed at Harry, pulling him into a tight embrace. Harry had realized he couldn't kill Voldemort, so he had instead managed to outsmart him, not only exposing one of his strongest weaknesses, but placing doubt inside him of his ability to kill Harry. They'd moved leaps and bounds ahead in their war against Voldemort, and it was all thanks to Harry. His Harry.

Unable to control his joy any longer, Draco pulled Harry into a passionate kiss, oblivious to The Order members blasting through the door and rushing inside the grounds. It was only when Dumbledore cleared his throat that Draco pulled away.

"Sir!"

"We -"

"It's not -"

"Voldemort -"

Harry and Draco spoke at once, stuttering and stumbling, but Dumbledore silenced them with a wave of his hand.

"Boys. I understand that you both fought bravely against Voldemort and his henchmen. I will be taking you immediately to see Madam Pomfrey, and we will worry about any explanations later," Dumbledore said. "Remus, if you would lead the team in a search of the grounds, I will take care of the boys, Severus and Mr. Fudge."

Remus appeared beside Dumbledore, absolutely glowing with happiness. "Yes sir!"

Dumbledore ushered Harry and Draco through the broken doorway, and as they passed, Remus gave them both a big grin and a wink. Draco couldn't stop smiling, and didn't even notice the shocked looks and whispers all around. They'd made it out alive, and Draco couldn't be bothered to think about anything else right now.

* * * *

The Portkey back to Hogwarts was rather unpleasant, but nothing could change the blissful feeling that had settled inside Harry. He was certain that everything was going to be all right.

They were immediately rushed into the hospital wing to be examined. Fudge was led away by Minerva to be questioned, and Harry and Draco were forced to sit down and wait while Poppy tended to Professor Snape.

"How did you find us?" Harry asked, settling back onto his bed.

"When you went missing this morning Harry, your good friends Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger immediately informed me of everything. It seems that Mr. Weasley is capable of sensing what you both are feeling, and when he reported pain and suffering, we knew something was amiss. Moaning Myrtle filled in the remaining details, it appeared she watched you both not only in her bathroom, but in the hallway as well. Once we discovered that Severus and Narcissa's meeting had gone wrong, we put two and two together and realized where you were. We had the general location of the house from Severus, and several escaped house elves pointed us in the right direction from there. It seems they were following the lead of the great liberator Dobby and tricked Fudge into letting them go." Dumbledore sat down on a chair between Harry and Draco's beds, a smile playing on his lips. "Although I confess it was my plan to make you two friends all along, never in my wildest dreams would I have suspected the truth - that you're both in love." Dumbledore smiled, and Harry knew at once that all their actions were forgiven.

Madam Pomfrey bustled over to Harry's beside, Snape fast asleep. After six different foul tasting potions and two rather painful charms, she checked Draco, doing much the same to him. Thankfully, the prognosis was good, and she agreed to let Harry and Draco stay up a little while longer.

"Dumbledore, sir, I must talk to you about Voldemort." Harry waited until it was just the three of them to speak. "I tried to fight him, sir, and got most of my injuries then. But once I realized fighting wouldn't work, Draco and I instead used our love for each other as a shield, and managed to scare him away. I think - if I may be so bold - that because Voldemort cannot understand love, this might be his greatest weakness. I am hoping, sir, for your guidance in how to use this to defeat him now that we have him worried and on the run." Harry spoke all at once, spilling all his thoughts for the Headmaster.

"Very good, Harry. I've always felt that Voldemort's greatest weakness was his inability to feel emotions he considers weak, one of these being love. Your mothers love protected you just as Draco's did here today, and I am very proud that you figured out what to do to place doubt in Voldemort's mind. Trust me, Harry, once you are rested and ready, we will together endeavour to develop a way to fight Voldemort, and I am hoping that Mr. Malfoy will be there to assist us. Voldemort has been greatly weakened, and I am certain that the next time you face him will be quite different than it was today - whether he understands the prophecy or not." Dumbledore rose from his chair, looking at Harry over his half-moon spectacles. Harry had not mentioned what he had done to save Snape, but Dumbledore knew nonetheless. He was just thankful that Dumbledore was not mad he had confessed the prophecy.

"I am eager to help The Order sir, to make up for all my deeds in the past," Draco said.

"You have nothing to apologize for Draco; you saved many lives with your actions today. But if I may ask a small favour from you to be performed immediately -" Dumbledore began.

But Draco knew what it was before he finished. "I must write the other Slytherins at once and try to save them all from a fate as a Death Eater."

"Excellent. Thank you. Draco, you're going to be a vital asset to our side. Now, before Poppy insists you two go to bed, I believe there are some people here who are eager to see you." Dumbledore walked to the door and opened it, letting Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and the whole Weasley clan spill inside.

"Thank goodness you two are okay!" Hermione rushed to Harry and hugged him, and then did the same to Draco.

"I could feel what he was doing to you, I could barely stand it." Ron gave Harry a light clap on the shoulder, his freckles even a shade paler.

Ginny rushed to their bedside, her cheeks still streaked from crying. Neville was muttering apologies, even though both Harry and Draco insisted they should be thanking him for starting this whole ordeal. The Weasley's were next, Mrs. Weasley sobbing into her husbands shoulder and barely able to speak. Even Fred and George were somewhat sombre, seeming at a loss for words.

The visit didn't last very long, however, and Harry barely finished a brief recap of the day (leaving out most of the horrid parts) before Madam Pomfrey corralled everyone outside and insisted Harry and Draco get to sleep. Dumbledore was ready with a quill and paper, and Draco insisted he write everyone before going to bed. Despite a pounding headache, Harry stayed up as well, watching Draco write in silence. Now that it was all over and their secret was out, he was beginning to worry about what would happen next. He loved Draco, and he would stand by his side regardless, but would the other Slytherins follow his lead and join The Order? Would those around him reject him for being gay? Harry sighed, and was happy when the candle finally went out and he choked down a sleeping draught. He would face these questions tomorrow - and he knew he would survive as long as he had Draco by his side. As Harry drifted off, there was some movement in the dark, and he felt Draco crawl into bed beside him. They both were exhausted, and fell asleep almost instantly, safely wrapped in each other's arms.